How France Lead the Resurgence in Defense Spending Despite Economic Austerity

In the wake of the Paris terrorist attacks last November, France, England, and Germany are leading a resurgence in military and security spending to support troops both domestic and abroad, but to also see the destruction of the Islamic State once and for all. The super powers of Europe have all provided essential roles in global security from France in West Africa, England in Afghanistan, and Germany in Iraq.

France is spending one million euros a day on heightened security, as part of a renewed surge in military spending throughout Europe.  France has been on an extended terror alert and is now spending more to increase safety, and other nations are also increasing military spending realizing terrorism is a permanent threat.

French President, Francois Hollande, has stated, “we need to track the terrorists, dismantle their networks, cut off their financing, and stop propaganda and radicalization.”

Germany will be hiring more police officers and intelligence officers, and in January, the defense minister suggested to increase defense spending by 130 billion euros, which includes purchasing a European-led air defense system known as MEADS and a bids for multi-purpose combat ships.  David Cameron, Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, is pushing for provisions for an additional 1,900 new officers and double funding for aviation security. England also authorized 12 billion pounds for Boeing P8 maritime patrol aircraft, increased fighter squadron numbers, and new strike brigade teams.

Belgium is also planning to increase its security spending. Nearly half a billion euros will be spent to jail returning jihadists, reinforce borders, and keep hundreds of troops on the street.

Defense companies both in American and Europe are reaping the rewards from this resurgence in defense spending. Europe’s defense industry is expected to benefit in terms of $50 billion in defense contracts as a result of the November Paris attacks. Areas of importance being emphasized include: cyber security, jet fighters, armored vehicles, and drones.

The path to military rejuvenation was not easy for many European nations, as many are still engulfed in Europe’s austerity program. The austerity program instituted by the European Union (EU) with Europe’s financial crisis in 2010. The program called for major cutbacks especially in military spending and personnel. The austerity program, was not popular among the public, and did not fix Europe’s economic ills.

France, Germany, Britain, and neighboring countries sharply curtailed their military spending when austerity was enforced. In 2015, only five nations of NATO met the military spending requirements of 2%  of national Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

From 2009 up till 2011, European states discharged 160,000 soldiers as a means to balance military forces.  By rule, European nations were hindered with broader government spending restrictions. Major European powers such as England had to cut 20,000 troops; Spain vacated airbases and switched to drones; and Germany closed 31 military bases and downsized another 90.

To save on cost European Union wants England, France, and Germany to cease in deploying unnecessary troops abroad, especially to the Middle East since involvement beginning to wind down. Countries like England use deployments of troops not just for war, but peacekeeping missions in hostile parts of the world.

A handful of European nations are quickly moving away from the “austerity mantra“that has dominated the region since the financial crisis. European leaders want a more flexible approach in balancing budgets and supporting security measures.

Jean Claude Juncker, former Prime Minister of Luxemburg, believes the time has come for the European Union to have its own army. The premise is to defend the continent against traditional strategic threats like Russia and other threats.

For years the United States called for its European allies to pull their own weight when it came to providing for themselves.  Europe’s free ride off American military will come to a halt very soon. Europe has been sole reliant on the United States for military financial support, and with European superpowers willing to carry the debt it could have significant economic ramifications for decades to come.